Electric switch



Oct. 6, 1931. H. A. DOUGLAS I ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed June 14, 1929 Patented Oct. 8, 193 1 UNITED STATES PATENT oFF ca My invention relates to electric switches, the switch of my invention bein inclusive of a contact actuating member ad ustable to alternative positions to effect alternative circuit adjustments, a lock having an-adjustable holding member engageable with the contact actuating member to hold the latter member in the position to which it is placed and a spring operating upon said member to engage 1t with the contact actuatin member, said lock bein operable upon sa1d member in a releasing irection and against the force contact actuating member. -A spring is preferably employed for pressing upon the detaining member ina direction toplace the aforesaid detaining member portion into position to engage the aforesaid holding memg1 her when this member is released from holding engagement.

I explain my invention more fully by reference to the accompanyin drawings in which Fig. 1 is a longitudina sectional view 35 illustrating the preferred embodiment thereof; Fig. 2 is a sectional view on line 2-2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a sectional view on line 3-3 of Fig. 1, circuit connections being added; Fig. 4 is a sectional view on line 44 40 of Fig. 1, circuit connections being added; and Fig. 5 is a sectional view on line 5 -5 of Fi 1. y

The structure illustrated is included in. the equipment that is disclosed in my copendqs ing application Serial No. 37,865, filed June 14,1929. Case 251.

As is set forth in said copending application the primary of the llldllCtiOIl coil or transformer that pertains to the ignition cir- 3 cuit has one terminal connected with the Application fled June 14, 1926. Serial Io. amass.

switch contact 16. An elongated arcuate contact 17 is coaxial with the shaft 18 upon which it is mounted. Said arcuate contact is assembled with the shaft through the intermediation of a wheel 19 which is preferably in. the. formof a on and whose hub 20 is directly secured to sald shaft. A body of insulation 21 electrically separates the arcuate contact from said wheel, the wheel being preferably metallic. A gap is formed a little to one side of the middle of contact 17, this gap being substantially bridged by a plate of insulation 22 which may be a part of 21. The free end of the contact spring 16 presses against the inner side of the contact 17 or the inner side of the insulating bridge 22 according to the position of said contact. Another contact spring 23, similar in shape to the contact 16, is symmetrically related 3 thereto and so positioned that it presses upon the outer side of the contact 17 or the bridge 22. The contacts 16 and 23 are thus either electrically connected or electrically separated according to the position of the contact 17. The contact 23 is grounded through a contact 24 that pertains to a starting switch which will later be described. A battery 25 is interposed between the contact 24 and ound. A handle or knob 26 is secured u on the shaft 18 so that it may be employed to operate the contact 17 to establish or open the ignition circuit. The wheel 19 has an arcuate rim portion thereof that intervenes between the ends of the contact 17 formed into a cam which serves to govern the thrott;le valve as set forth in said copending application. The circuit of the engine starting motor 27 is inclusive of the aforesaid grounded battery 25 and the aforesaid contact 24, a contact 28, an operatin contact 29 that is brought into and out o engagement with the contacts 24'and 28 and the motor 27 which is grounded. The contact 29 is provided upon a carriage 30 which has aligned slots 31, 32 which receive guiding pins 33 and 34. These slots and pins are radiall aligned with the center of the wheel 19. Shid carriage has a rounded nose 35 which rides upon thearcuate cam portion'of the wheel 19. .A spring 36 maintains said nose-in engagement with said cam portion. When it is not desired to choke the air inlet, the knob or handle 26 is turned to the left from the idle position shown in Fig. 2. In bein so turned the cam depression 37 of the wheel is brought into engagement with the nose35, whereu on the insuiating bridge 22 is withdrawn rorri between the springs 16 and 23 and the part of the contact 17 upon the left of this bridge is brought between these springs to electrically connect them and establish the ignition circuit. After the ignition circuit is closed, the knob or handle 26 is turned another step in a counterclockwise direction to bring the cam rise 38 into engagement with the nose 35 whereby the bridging contact 29 is engaged with the contacts 24 and 28 to close the circuit of the startin motor 27, the ignition circuit remaining 0 osed owing to the disposition and the arcuate length of the contact 17.

When it is desired to choke or throttle the flow of air into the inlet the knob or handle 26 is turned clockwise, the nose 35 of the carriage 30 being successively engaged by the cam depressions 48, 49 and 50 and finally by the cam rise 51. During the travel of the wheel 19 from its idle position shown in Fig. 3 to the position in which the cam rise 51 thereon engages the nose the ignition circuit is established at the initial part of the movement of the wheel and is maintained throughout the continued movement of the wheel clockwise. When the cam rise 51 is 1 reached, the bridging contact 29 engages both contacts 24 and 28 to close the circuit of the starting motor 27. When the cam depression 48 is brought into engagement with the nose 35 the ignition circuit is alone established. When the cam depression 49 is brought into engagement with said nose the throttle valve is placed to partially choke the flow' of air into the carburetor. When the cam depression 50 is brought into engagement with the nose 35 the throttle valve is adjusted to its fully choking position. The wheel 19 desirably efl'ects the choking adjustment of the throttle valve. To this end the wheel is formed with an arcuate slot 52 through which a lever arm 53 projects. When the cam depression 48 is engaged with the nose 35 the upper end of this slot just about engages said lever arm. When the cam depression 49 engages the nose 35 said lever arm is turned throughout a corresponding range to effect the partial choking closure of the throttle valve. When the cam depression 50 engages the nose 35 said lever arm is turned through the balance of its range of movement to complete the choking closure of the throttle valve. The mechanism through which the lever arm 53 operates to adjust the valve is inclusive of a shaft 54 to which said arm is secured, another arm 55 fixed upon said shaft and an arcuate member 56 upon the-outer end of the arm 55 and which constitutes with this arm a pulley segment. When the wheel 19 turns the arm 53 in one direction it does so against the force of a sprin 57. When said wheel is turned countercloc wise the spring 57 restores the arm to its idle position which is defined by any suitable means such as a stop 58. Motion from the arcuate pulley 55, 56 is imparted to the throttle valve through a link 59 which is preferably formed of piano wire. This wire passes through a guiding conduit 60, one end of the wire being secured to the arcuate pulley and the other end being in connection with the throttle valve,

all as set forth in said copending application' The wheel 19 may be locked in its idle position by locking mechanism which is inclusive of an adjustable member 61. This adjustable member is desirably of U form, one side of the member having an angular extension 62 which is receivable within a notch or holding formation 63 that is provided in the rim of the wheel 19. The member 61 is desirably pivotally mounted at its base or intermediate portion. The other side of the member 61 is pulled upon by a spring 64 in a counterclockwise direction. The adjustable member 61 is controlled by a look. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated this lock is inclusive of a stationary shell 65 having diametricall opposite slots 66 formed there through an enclosing a rotatable tumbler barrel 67 which carries tumblers 68. In the absence of the key 69 these tumblers project into the slots 66, or one of them, to hold the tumbler barrel from rotation, the lock then being in looking adjustment, the pin 7 0 upon the barrel and which is engageable with the member 61 being then positioned to permit the spring 64 to bring the member part 62 into the notch 63 which is when the wheel 19 is placed in off position. When the key is inserted it Withdraws the tumblers from the slots 66 that received the ends of the tumblers so that the tumbler barrel may then be turned by turning the key. The pin 70 upon the tumbler barrel is located upon one side of the barrel axis. The adjustable lock controlled member 61 is held in engagement with this pin by means of the spring 64. \Vhen the tumbler barrel is turned to the position in which the tumblers are in re ister with the slots 66 and in which position t e key may be withdrawn, the pin 7 0 permits the spring 64 to turn the member 61 in a counterclockwise direction to engage the portion 62 of this member within the notch 63 if the wheel 19 be positioned accordingly. If the key is withdrawn the member 61 is then locked in engagement with the wheel 19 to hold the wheel in its neutral position in which the circuits controlled by the device are opened. If it be desired to turn the wheel from its normal position to cause the wheel to operate the parts with which it is in operative relation the] key is inserted and turned-in a counterclockwise direction to withdrawthe member 62 of the adjustable member 61 out of the presses outwardly at its outer end upon the flange. 74 that is provided upon the plunger. The plunger has an annular recess 75 which maybe brought into the plane of one side of the member 61 upon depression of the plunger, Fig.4, whereby the plunger may be he in its depressed position by the part of the member 61 that then enters said recess. N ormally, that is when the plunger is undepressed, the inner end of the plunger is in the plane of the member 61 so as to be enturned to cause the pin 70 to turn the member gageable with this member to hold its part 62 out of the notch 63. With the plunger in its outermost position the key may be withdrawnwithout permitting the spring 64 to place the part 62 in the notch 63. When the wheel is turned to an idle position and the key being withdrawn it will only be necessary to depress the plunger to bring its recess into the plane 0 the member 61, whereupon the spring 64 will cause the member 61 to enter the recess 75 and the part 62 of this member will enter the notch 63, This member holds the plunger in its depressed position so that the plunger cannot be pulled outwardly to release the member until the ey i's*inserted and the tumbler barrel is 61 clockwise against the force of the s ring 64, themember part62 being then with rawn from the notch 63 as hitherto explained Changes may be made without departing from the invention.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. An'electric switch including a contact actuating member adjustable to alternative positions to effect alternative circuit adjustments; a lock; an adjustable holding member engageable with the contact actuating member to hold the latter member in one position to which it ma be placed; a spring operating upon said hol ing member to engage it with the contact actuating member, said lock being operable upon said holding member in a releasing direction and against the force of said spring; a plunger having a recess into which said adjustable holding member may enter when this member is in holding engagement with the contact actuating member and having a portion engageable with said holding member to hold this member out of efiective engagement with the contact actuating member; and a spring ressing upon the plunger in a direction to p ace the a oresaid lunger portion into gsition to engagethe a oresaid olding mem r when this member is released from holding engagement.

2. An electric switch including a contact actuating member adjustable to alternative positions to effect alternative circuit adjustments; a lock; an adjustable holding member engageable with the contact actuating member to hold the latter member in the position to which it is placed; a spring operatin upon said holding member to enga e it .witfi the contact actuating member, ing operable upon said holding member in a re easing direction and against the force of said spring, the lock bein inclusive of an element for actuating its a justable holding member into releasing relation with the contact actuating member when the lock is adjusted to unlocking position; a plunger havmg a recess into which said adjustable holding member may enter when this member is in holding engagement with the contact actuating member and having a portion engageable with said holding member to hold this member out of effective engagement with the contact actuating member; and a spring pressing upon the plunger in a direction to place the aforesaid plunger portion into position to engage the aforesaid holding member when this member is released from hold.- ing en agement.

3. T e structure of claim 1 wherein the adjustable holding member is of U and is pivoted between its sides.

4. The structure of claim 2 wherein the adjustable holding member is of 'U shape and is pivoted between its sides.

5. An electric switch including a contact actuating member adjustable to alternative positions to effect alternative circuit adjustments; a lock 5 an adjustable holding member engageable wlth the contact actuating member to hold the latter member in the position to which it is placedpa spring operating upon said holding member to engage it with the contact actuating member, said lock beingoperable upon said holding member in a releasing direction and/against the force of said spring; a detaining element having a recess into which said adjustable holding member may enter when this member is in holding engagement with the contact actuating member and having a portion engageable with said holding member out of effective engagement with the contact actuating member; and a spring pressing upon the detaining" element in a direction to place the aforesaid detaining member portion into position to engage the aforesaid holding member when this member is released from holding engagement.

6. An electric switch including a contact sai lock beshape member to hold this A 1t with the contact actuating member, said lock bein operable upon said holding membar in a releasing direction and against the force of said sprin the lock being inclusive of an elemem able holding or actuating its adjuster into releasing relation ctuating member when the ocking position; a dea a recess into which a ding member may enter is in holding engagement actuating member and g geable with said holdhis member out of efiec- '1 the contact actuating ressing upon the deection to place the member portion into position the aforesaid holding member member is released from holding enga ement.

T. in ele "-ric switch including a contact actuating member adjustable to alternative positions to eiiect alternative circuit adjustments; a lock; an adjustable holding member engageable with the contact actuating member to hold the latter member in the position to which it is placed; a spring operating upon said holding member to engage it with the contact actuating member, said loc l: being operable upon said holding member in a releasing direction and against the force of said spring, the lock being inelusive of an element for actuating its ad'- justable holding member into releasing relation with the contact actuating member when the lock is adjusted to unlocking position; and a plunger having a recess into which said adjustable holding member may enter when this member is in holding engagement with the contact actuating member and having a portion engageable with said holding member to hold this member out of effective engagement with the contact actuating member.

8. An electric switch including a contact actuating member adjustable to alternative posit-ions to effect alternative circuit adjustments; a lock; an adjustable holding member engageable with the contact actuating member to hold the latter member in the position to which it is placed; a spring operating upon said holding memberto engage it. with the contact actuating member, said lock being operable upon said holding member in a releasing direction and against the force of said spring, the lock being inclusive of an element for actuating its adjustable holding member into releasing relation with the contact actuating member when the lock is adjusted to unlocking position; and a lun er having a recess into which said ad usta 1e holding member mayenter when this member is in holdin engagement with the contact actuating mem er and having a portion engageable with said holding member to hold this member out of effective engagement with the contact actuating member.

9. An electric switch including a contact actuating member adjustable to alternative positions to effect alternative circuit adjustments; ber'engageabie with the contact actuating member to hold the latter member in the position to which it is placed; a spring operating upon said holding member to engage it with the contact actuating member, said lock being operable upon said holding membet in a releasing direction and against the force or" said spring; and a detaining element having a recess into which said adjustable holding member may enter when this member is in holding engagement the contact ctuating member and having portion engageable with said holding member to hold this member out of effective engagement with the contact actuating member.

10. An electric switch including a contact actuating member adjustableto alternative positions to effect alternative circuit adjustments; a lock; an adjustable holding member engageable with the contact actuating member to hold the latter member in the position to which it is placed; a spring operating upon said holding member to engage it with the contact actuating member, said lock being operable upon said holding member in a releasing direction and against the force of said spring, the lock being inclusive of an element for actuating its ad ustable holding member into releasing relation with the contact actuating member when the lock is adjusted to unlocking position; and a detaining element having a recess into which said adjustable holding member may enter when this member is in holding engagement with the contact actuating member and having a portion engageable with said holding member to hold this member out of effective engagement with the contact actuating member.

11. The structure of claim 9 wherein the adjustable member is of U shape and is pivot ed between its sides.

12. The structure of claim 10 wherein the adjustable member is of U shape and is pivoted between its sides.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name.

HARRY A. DOUGLAS.

a lock an adjustable holding mem- 

